A Day at the Androsia Batik Factory

I have been wanting to go to Fresh Creek, Andros in the Bahamas to the Androsia Factory to see the Androsia batik process since we started coming to the Bahamas five years ago. Our sailboat's draft didn't allow us to add it to our itinerary. Our new-to-us Kadey Krogen trawler brought us to Andros and the motherland of Androsia fabrics. If you've been to the Bahamas you'll recognize the iconic design of Androsia fabric. I've sewn a few items from this batik material, but I always wanted to know more about this native Bahamian fabric art and experience it for myself. When we were planning this year's trip to the Bahamas we decided to leave Palm Beach and head straight to Andros since we could check in at the Fresh Creek Airport. Read more [...]

DIY Screens for Pilothouse Doors

Magnolia, a 1997 Kadey Krogen 42, has a raised pilothouse with two side doors. Being averse to biting black flies, I wanted screens before going down the Delaware Bay - a known fly habitat.  No one seems to enjoy their visits as they arrive in swarms.  I completed the first phase of the screens before we left the Chesapeake Bay bound for the Great Lakes. Reporting no flies aboard to date. 

The screen material is cut the actual size I wanted with a two inch binding top and bottom which I made from Sunbrella and a 1" Sunbrella binding on the sides.  The material is Phifertex white 54".  This is the basic Phifertex which will allow more air flow, but may not keep out any noseeums.  For noseeums, I'd spray the mesh with "Shoo-Fly".  Primarily Read more [...]

Introducing M/V Magnolia and the Good Surprise

While we enjoyed S/V Magnolia for seven years, we found our new boat in Stuart, FL - a 1997 Kadey Krogen 42 (hull #199).  This boat has good bones, but like S/V Magnolia, it needs some love and a lot of maintenance.  It sat at the dock for three years with little attention. The Captain likes to tackle big projects like refits and manages them well. With a fly bridge and pilothouse travel will be comfortable. Accommodations will be too with a saloon and two staterooms.  The galley is good-sized by boat standards.  She will allow us to add some cruising areas to our plans. So while the maintenance and refit are underway, I'll be sewing a variety of projects to make her our home.  First up...curtains. Fabrics have been negotiated and selected Read more [...]

S/V Magnolia for Sale! SOLD!

With some sadness and excitement for our next adventure, we are selling our beautiful 1990 44' Morgan center cockpit, Magnolia. She has taken us from the Bahamas to Maine for the past four years. She sails well and won a few races back in her early years. Systems and electronics have been updated since we bought her. Brand new Mack mainsail, well-maintained Yanmar engine in a separate engine room, solar with Outback controller, 8kw Westerbeke generator, Cruise RO watermaker, Revere liferaft, and Raymarine electronics. Two staterooms and two heads. Centerline standard queen berth with high-density foam mattress, Ultraleather settees, very good storage, and a mini bathtub! She also has some good canvas! Currently, the boat is near Annapolis. Please Read more [...]

Line Lock Covers

 More covers.  Everything teak needs a cover from the sun. Handrails, winches and line locks.  The two line locks on the aft cabin deck got new varnish, hence, new covers.

 

Basically, I made a box cover to slip over the top. Using a "boxing strip" for the top and forward and aft sides; I sewed the top to a side panel; then carefully lined up and sewed the forward and aft side strips to the side panel. Repeat for the other side. After testing the fit, I hemmed all around the base/opening, trimmed the corners, and carefully pushed out the corners with the blunt end of the seam ripper. (You could use your fingers or a pencil eraser.)  That's it.  The Captain used wire ties to secure the cover to the base.  You could add snaps Read more [...]